Denture adherence device

ABSTRACT

A denture construction has been adapted for retaining dentures in secure proximity with gums of a user by suction. The denture has a cavity communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use, while a temperature responsive expandable-contractable means associated with the cavity changes the size of the cavity in accordance with temperature to thereby expel air from the cavity upon heating to above body tmperature. The means creates a reduced pressure in the cavity upon cooling to body temperature while said aperture is in contact with the gums.

United States Patent [1 1 Alderman 1 July 17, 1973 DENTURE ADHERENCE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Roy Alderman, 700 Carriage Hill Rd., Virginia Beach, Va.

[22] Filed: May 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 251,260

[52] US. Cl. 32/3 [Sl] Int. Cl. A6lc 13/24 [58] Field of Search 32/3 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,998,203 4/1935 Roemisch 32/3 X 2,636,268 4/1953 Stascavage 32/3 Primary Examiner-Robert Pcshock Attorney-John W. Mallcy et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A denture construction has been adapted for retaining dentures in secure proximity with gums of a user by suction. The denture has a cavity communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use, while a temperature responsive expandable-contractable means associated with the cavity changes the size of the cavity in accordance with temperature to thereby expel air from the cavity upon heating to above body temperature. The means creates a reduced pressure in the cavity upon cooling to body temperature while said aperture is in contact with the gums.

11 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 DENTURE ADHERENCE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a denture adherence device and in particular to a device for securing a denture to the gums of a user by means of suction.

It is generally well known that denture wearers suffer greatly due to imperfections in seals between the gums and the denture. An imperfect seal may permit shifting of the denture relative to the gum surface and cause irritation. It may also lead to inconveniences such as possible impairment of speech and the inability to properly masticate certain types of foods.

There are many types of denture adherence devices which have been devised in order to alleviate the aforementioned problems, some of which are particularly painful and expensive to employ such as certain surgical procedures for permanently securing the artificial denture to the gums. This method while particularly successful has the disadvantages of requiring a long I convalescent period, pain associated with the initial surgery, and the huge expense of major surgery. Further, it is normally impractical for the average person to submit to such treatment since the availability thereof is severely limited to those with a pressing need.

Other methods include the use of one-way valve structures which may be constructed for providing a tighter fit with removable dentures. However, these have not proved particularly successful or efficient in many cases because of possible difficulties in effecting the generation of the initial vacuum. Other methods include the utilization of a cushion attached to the portion of the denture which engages the gums and upon insertion and the exertion of the pressure on the cushion, air is forced out from under the cushion and a suction developed for holding the plates.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a structure which obviates one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the described prior arrangements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an arrangement which is economical to manufacture for use by the general public.

It is yet another object of the present invention ,to provide an efficient and reliable adhesion or adherence device for use with artificial dentures.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION A denture construction has. been adapted for retaining dentures in secure proximity with gums of a user by suction. The denture has a cavity communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use, while a temperature responsive expandable-contractable means associated with the cavity changes the size of the cavity in accordance with temperature to thereby expel air from the cavity upon heating to above body temperature. The means creates a reduced pressure in the cavity upon cooling to body temperature while said aperture is in contact with the gums.

There is further provided a method of sealing the denture to the gums by heating the denture, inserting the structure in place so that the aperture engages with the gums and permitting the denture to cool to body temperature so as to permit generation of the reduced pressure.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects thereof, reference is directed to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing while the scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show an artificial denture 10 which is contemplated to be utilized with the present invention,

the denture including a lower portion 11 for engaging with the gums and a plate portion 12 which serves as the chewing surface of the denture. Within the denture 10 is formed at least one interior cavity 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 13 is a cylindrical bore runninggenerally about the interior of the denture 10 as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of longitudinally spacedapart holes extend from the cavity to the gum-engaging surface of the denture portion 11.

Inside the cavity 13 there is disposed an adherence device 15 in the form of an expandable-contractable body which is generally complementary in shape and slightly smaller than the cavity 13. In the illustrated embodiment this device is a resilient cylindrical member having a diameter and length somewhat less than the diameter and length of the cavity 13. The cylindrical member 15, is shown more in detail in FIG. 3. It consists of a cylindrical rubber tube having an interior chamber 16 and sealed at both ends by appropriate end members 17. Inside of the cylindrical adherence device 15, there is contained a fluid, such as air, Freon, ammonia or other appropriate composition, which is expandable under a relatively small increase in temperature. The expansion may include a change from liquid to gas phase. Under normal conditions, the cylinder is in a contracted condition and is significantly smaller than the cavity 13. A normal condition may be defined as the shape and size of the longitudinal member 15 at a temperature approximating the normal body temperature of a human being. This may vary, of course, from one individual to another. however, a discrepancy of a few degrees Fahrenheit is not critical. Under these conditions there is space 18 betweenthe interior walls of the cylindrical bore 13 and the exterior walls of the cylindrical member 15. At a higher temperature the cylinder 15 is in an expanded condition, illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 3.

The operation of the invention described herein shall now be described in further detail. In order to utilize the inventive apparatus the user of the dentures merely places the dentures under running hot water or emerses them therein. The temperature of the water generally reaches the neighborhood of to F, and the heat is imparted to the resilient cylindrical member 15 and heats the fluid within. The fluid expands and the cylindrical member 15 expands to the full limits of the interior walls of the cylindrical bore 13, thereby expelling air from the space 18. The artificial dentures are then placed in the mouth and in a relatively short time, cool to the body temperature of the user. As this occurs, the fluid and hence, the cylindrical member contract thereby creating a suction within the cavity and at each of the holes 14 which are in engagement with the gums. The dentures may be removed by the normal method of simply loosening them with the fingers to break the seal with the gums. However, the normal functions are not impaired, and the dentures will not loosen during use. It has been found that this type of structure provides a more efficient and stronger seal than the aforementioned prior art structures including the use of adhesives.

Each time the dentures are to be inserted in the mouth, all that is necessary is for them first to be placed in relatively hot water about 40 or 50 F higher than the normal body temperature, so that upon cooling in the mouth the necessary suction is generated. This method is convenient in that no discomfort is experienced by the user because the temperature of the water need not be so hot as to cause pain when the dentures are inserted into the mouth. There is, however, enough of a differential between the normal body temperature of approximately 98 F and the temperature of the activating fluid, that is, hot water, to prevent any inadvertent expansion of the cylindrical member 15 due to changes in the ambient temperature. In other words, the cylindrical member 15 will not expand and reduce the suction during normal use.

It has been found that five holes 14 will effectuate a proper seal in an average denture structure. However, more or less may be used in accordance with the needs of the particular person utilizing the denture structure. It is possible also to provide one or more expandable members utilizing other shapes, however, it has been found that a single cylindrical member for a complete upper or lower denture is most convenient for the purposes of the manufacturer.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an alternate embodiment of the present apparatus wherein the artificial denture 11 has a chamber 21, similar to the cavity 13 in FIG. 1, therein, and a plurality of holes 14 distributed similarly as in FIG. 1 for communicating with the chamber 21 with the portion of the denture which engages with the gums.

Disposed in the chamber 21 and adjacent the inner end of each hole 14 is a diaphragm member 20. The diaphragm is secured in notches 22 by some appropriate means which makes the chamber 21 air tight from the surrounding atmosphere. This may be accomplished for example by the use of a resin capable of such purpose.

The apparatus works in a fashion similar to that previously described in that when the denture is held under a stream of hot water so as to raise the inside temperature of the chamber 21 to approximately 140 to 150 F, the air in the chamber 21 expands and forces the diaphragm 20 into engagement with the inner ends of the holes 14 as illustrated in FIG. 4A. When the denture is placed in the mouth and begins to cool down to body temperature the diaphragm 20 retracts to its natural position as in FIG. 48 so as to form a partial vacuum in the area shown at 24. This partial vacuum creates the suction necessary to form a strong seal for holding the denture with engagement with the gums.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made herein without departing from the invention, and it is therefore in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A denture construction adapted to be releasably sealed to the gums by suction, said denture construction having at least one cavity therein communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use, and temperature responsive, expandable-contractable means disposed in said cavity having an expandable fluid sealed therein for changing the size of the cavity in accordance with temperature to thereby expel air from the cavity upon heating to substantially above body temperature and for creating a reduced pressure in the cavity upon cooling to body temperature while said aperture is in contact with the gums 2. The denture construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the temperature responsive means comprises:

a resilient longitudinal member having a hollow interior running the length thereof and sealed at both ends, said member disposed in the cavity.

3. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said fluid comprises an expandable gas sealed within the member capable of causing expansion of the member within the cavity to a selected size at the temperature relatively greater than the body temperature of the user, and capable of causing contraction of the member to a lesser size upon cooling to said body temperature,

whereby said contracting resilient member generates the reduced pressure in the cavity.

4. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said resilient longitudinal member is a hollow flexible tube having a contracted diameter less than that of the cavity.

5. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said resilient member is rubber.

6. The denture construction of claim 3, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of freon, ammonia and atmosphere.

7. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said cavity is substantially circular for receiving said longitudinal member.

8. The denture construction of claim 1, wherein said temperature responsive means comprises:

a resilient longitudinal diaphragm member secured in a groove in the cavity.

9. The denture construction of claim 8, wherein an expansion is gas sealed within the chamber capable of causing expansion of the diaphragm at the temperature relatively greater than body temperature and capable of causing contraction of the diaphragm upon cooling to body temperature thereby generating the reduced pressure.

10. The apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein said resilient member is a section of rubber material having a shape substantially coinciding with that of the denture and in a plane substantially parallel to the formation of the gums.

11. A method of releasably sealing a denture to the gums by suction wherein said denture has a cavity, communicating through an aperture with a surface of cavity, inserting the denture in place and permit' ting the denture to cool to body temperature to thereby create a reduced pressure in the cavity while said aperture is in contact with the gums.

i t l 

1. A denture construction adapted to be releasably sealed to the gums by suction, said denture construction having at least one cavity therein communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use, and temperature responsive, expandable-contractable means disposed in said cavity having an expandable fluid sealed therein for changing the size of the cavity in accordance with temperature to thereby expel air from the cavity upon heating to substantially above body temperature and for creating a reduced pressure in the cavity upon cooling to body temperature while said apeRture is in contact with the gums.
 2. The denture construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the temperature responsive means comprises: a resilient longitudinal member having a hollow interior running the length thereof and sealed at both ends, said member disposed in the cavity.
 3. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said fluid comprises an expandable gas sealed within the member capable of causing expansion of the member within the cavity to a selected size at the temperature relatively greater than the body temperature of the user, and capable of causing contraction of the member to a lesser size upon cooling to said body temperature, whereby said contracting resilient member generates the reduced pressure in the cavity.
 4. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said resilient longitudinal member is a hollow flexible tube having a contracted diameter less than that of the cavity.
 5. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said resilient member is rubber.
 6. The denture construction of claim 3, wherein said gas is selected from the group consisting of freon, ammonia and atmosphere.
 7. The denture construction of claim 2, wherein said cavity is substantially circular for receiving said longitudinal member.
 8. The denture construction of claim 1, wherein said temperature responsive means comprises: a resilient longitudinal diaphragm member secured in a groove in the cavity.
 9. The denture construction of claim 8, wherein an expansion is gas sealed within the chamber capable of causing expansion of the diaphragm at the temperature relatively greater than body temperature and capable of causing contraction of the diaphragm upon cooling to body temperature thereby generating the reduced pressure.
 10. The apparatus as described in claim 8, wherein said resilient member is a section of rubber material having a shape substantially coinciding with that of the denture and in a plane substantially parallel to the formation of the gums.
 11. A method of releasably sealing a denture to the gums by suction wherein said denture has a cavity, communicating through an aperture with a surface of the denture which engages the gums during use and a temperature responsive expandable means is sealed within the cavity, the steps comprising: heating the dentures to a temperature relatively greater than body temperature so that the temperature responsive means expands driving air from the cavity, inserting the denture in place and permitting the denture to cool to body temperature to thereby create a reduced pressure in the cavity while said aperture is in contact with the gums. 